“Grogan made a comment to the effect that the trainers have done it,” said Mr Rowe.

The court heard they had been in a relationship since January, this year, and his behaviour was “up and down”.

His partner later retracted the complaints, and wrote a letter to the court saying she wants to marry him, and that Grogan has an appointment at King’s Mill Hospital, in August, to address his mental health problems.

David Cusack, mitigating, said Grogan, who has a long criminal record, had been trying to turn his life around since December 2016.

“They have known each other for a long time and he has promised to put his offending in the past,” Mr Cusack said.

He said the offences were committed during a “short period in which he wasn’t taking his medication.”

“Nobody is trying to justify what happened,” added Mr Cusack. “He wants to rebuild the trust that they have.”

Grogan, 38, of Maple Drive, Belper, admitted four counts of assault, and one of criminal damage, when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Wednesday.

District judge Jonathan Taaffe told him: “You wife-to-be has had her trust breached on numerous occasions and your stepson has had to witness domestic violence and appalling behaviour on more than one occasion.

“There’s an expression, effectively, that people don’t change their spots. Time will tell. History tells us that people who commit domestic violence do so on a regular basis.

“I would suggest to your partner that if she puts herself and her children at the forefront of matters, you wouldn’t be in her life. But that’s not a matter for me.”

He handed Grogan 26 weeks in prison, plus four weeks for the criminal damage, which will be suspended for two years. He also ordered £85 costs and a £115 government surcharge.

District judge Taaffe told him: “If this behaviour is repeated I would urge your partner to report it to the authorities and you will be dealt with accordingly.”

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